The Library - ID# 40

Glenbrook South
Dramatic Narrative
Entry Description

A dramatic narrative centered around an up and coming library assistant assigned the night shift-- but closing up the library seems to have a bit more haunting then he signed up for...

Copyright Info

Recent Teacher Comments

  • 4/28 12:35 pm - What works: I enjoy a lot of the motivated movement! Love the commentary on day-to-day labor relations. The story is very fun and entertaining! The music helps me know how to feel. If you chose a scarier score, it would have been very different, but I support your choice to use lighthearted music! Good choice to use black and white during the flashback sequence. What needed work: The characters are often out of focus. I am not sure if you used autofocus, but you should have double checked. The early shots of the main character looking at his boss could be much better framed. There is too much space behind him. In general, you would benefit from relying on the Rule of Thirds a bit more. Final thoughts: This was a delightful and fun short! I would suggest studied framing/composition and focusing more, but overall, nice job!
  • 4/28 9:24 am - Works Well - Nice moving camera shots. Good exposure in low light. Interesting and simple story idea. The ghost shadow effect is fun. Needs Work - The overall tone of the film jumps around. Is it drama, comedy or horror? The music choice is reminiscent of a Stanley Kubrick soundtrack, but again it’s hard to tell what mood is trying to be set. The black and white re-enactments are fun, but feel like too much for a film that’s so short.
  • 4/27 12:54 pm - You have a really great story here! Your message about both characters is clear. I think the pacing in your editing was great. Nothing seemed like it was rushed. I think you could work on camera technique. You have a great variety of shots, however you may want to review the rule of thirds. It is a rule and it can be broken but there has to be a reason for it. I would also suggest using a tripod. A tripod is your friend! It can really help slow you down (in a good way). It helps you think about the shot you're doing, especially if it involves movement. You have a good use of sound. There are times where the audio levels are different. You want to make sure that they are consistent throughout your film. Most editors agree that your overall audio level of your audio mix (all of your audio combined) should fall between -10db to -20db (db = decibels). 0:19 - This could be a medium close up on the Librarian. We also want the camera at eye level with the character. This goes along with horizontal planes. If the camera is facing up at the character, the character looks like they have a lot of power. If the camera is pointed down at a character, that character seems like they are weak and powerless. Think about movies with heroes and villains. 0:25 - Rule of thirds are important when framing a shot. Now you can break the rule, but you need to know what you’re doing and you need to have a reason for it. This shot would be great if the character was framed on the right third of the frame instead of being on the left. Why? Right now there is no lead room in front of the character. It also looks as if this was done on purpose because someone may sneak up behind him. 0:38 to 0:39 - It looks like there is a freeze frame here or some kind of glitch. When editing make sure you watch back what you have edited. Make sure that you are paying attention not just to audio but also if you have any weird cuts on your timeline, glitches or black frames. 1:20 - I like that this is a tracking shot here. When doing this you really want to be careful with how you’re holding the camera. If you don’t have a stabilizer, the best way to do this is to hold the camera to your body with your elbows tucked into your sides. You also want to take the same footsteps with your character at the same time so that the camera “bounce” matches the character. 1:46 - I would suggest putting the camera on a tripod for this clip. 2:06 - I would also suggest putting the camera on a tripod here. The shaky-ness of the camera can be distracting. Especially since that character is standing in one spot. 3:12 - Great idea making the flashback B&W! 3:36 - great addition of the shadow here! It adds to why the character felt the breathing down his neck.
Judge 1

Positives:

Improvements:

Judge 2

Positives: Had a great low angle shot. The background was well lit as well as the shelf next to the subject. Good ratio on the face as well. When you were handheld moving with the subject you did a good job not making it jarring.

Improvements: I wish there was more motivation as to why the teacher was tricking the employee. I wish the rest of the film had similar dramatic lighting as the one frame I talked about. I think it would have elevated it even higher!

Judge 3

Positives: The way you presented the place being haunted worked well and then the story transitioning into it potentially not being haunted and then ending with there being a ghost worked well the editing of the ghostly shadow was well done

Improvements: sound felt hollow and not as crisp as others. wasn't a terrible diversification of shots, try mixing it up there could have been more context to their being a ghost in the place. from the beginning I felt like that's where it was going but some setup for it from the librarian character would have helped foreshadow what was to come

Judge 4

Positives:

Improvements: